Under the water
The coolest 2009 diver’s watches
Scuba diving lovers feel the need of taking with them precise tools, which allow for high performances in full safety. For those careful to details it is important not to leave aside style. Here we present some of the coolest diver’s watches ideated by watchmaking maisons in 2009.
The Aquatimer Chronograph Edition Galapagos Islands stems out of IWC Schaffhausen’s attention to environment and of a partnership with the Charles Darwin Foundation, founded to safeguard the Galapagos islands. The time piece is characterized by a opaque black coating of vulcanized rubber, which surrounds the stainless steel case, allowing for a particular feeling in terms of touch and sight. A similar black rubber strap is fixed to the case through a quick-change system on the bracelet allowing the strap to be removed and replaced by another by the manual release of a mechanical lock. This new non-slip external bezel is a quite significant modification brought about the entire family of Aquatimer watches. The chronograph has a pressure-resistance that has been tested to 12 bar with a power reserve of 44 hours when fully wound.
Waterresistant to 1000 metres, the Blancpain 500 Fathoms features a brushed titanium case measuring 48 mm in diameter. Placed inside the case at 10 o’clock, a self-winding decompression valve guarantees the security and the reliability of the watch, without requiring any handling on the part of the wearer. To enhance readability, Blancpain has designed large phosphorescent Arabic numerals that are hollowed into the sunray-brushed metal appliques. The luminescent coating on the hour-markers, bezel markings and hands, along with the red tip of the sweep seconds hand, ensure optimal readability in all circumstances. The unidirectional ratcheted bezel facilitates handling and avoids any involuntary extension of the dive time. The 500 Fathoms is powered by the self-winding Calibre 1315, specifically designed to equip sports watches.
The new Tag Heuer Aquaracer 500M Calibre 5 is preciously refined and fitted with a 500 meter water resistance. The watch features a unidirectional turning bezel, a 43 mm diameter case in fine brushed steel. The screwed in crown with colored rubber coating on the face is provided with a double lining to prevent water or dust infiltration. The watch features a dial with vertical streak effect, on which hands and indexes are covered with luminescent markers, used to ensure excellent readability even in low-light environments or in the dark of sea beds. The automatic helium valve makes out of the watch a suitable instrument for professionals that dive at great depths for long periods. The automatic movement Tag Hauer 26 mm (Calibre ETA 2836-2) is decorated “Côtes de Genève”.
Particularly big case – 49 mm – is the one of Oris Regulateur Der Meistertaucher, high-readability watch that allows for great precision in calculating immersion times. The screwed in crown makes it extremely water resistant. The watch is water resistant to a depth of 1000m and fitted with a unidirectional security divers top ring, a helium valve and a thick 4.70mm curved sapphire crystal, for optimal reading of the displays with luminous tritium inlay on the black dial. The design makes it a watch easy to wear even on daily life.
It is with Chronograph Grand Ocean Automatic that Edox celebrated its 125th anniversary, paying tribute to its very first diver’s watches. Water resistant to a depth of 10 atmospheres, it features a 48 mm case, fitted with calibre Edox n. 012, with a 12 hour reserve.
It doesn’t carry a very encouraging name for being a diver’s watch the Locman Squalo. In its self-winding mechanical movement version or the quartz-driven chronograph alternative, it is provided with rotating bezel, enhanced by a colourful insert printed with large Arabic numerals alternating with hour-markers that guarantee optimal readability and facilitate read-off below the water. he bezel itself is also stamped with the silhouette of the shark joining up the 0 of the 20 numeral. Significant are the dimensions of this watch that features a round case entirely realized in brushed steel.
The new collection Dive Master 500 Mecha Victorinox offers design, functionality and the typical technical performances of self-winding mechanical movements. Luminous hands, a punctuated dot second hand and oversized markers are combined with a large date calendar for superior legibility. The dial was conceived to facilitate the readability of all signs. Scratch-resistant, antireflective sapphire crystal and a unidirectional bezel with luminous markings frame a commanding dial design in anthracite. A screw-down crown and see-through screw-in exhibition caseback provide the utmost protection against water and humidity.
For those that do not need professional performances and love classic lines, there’s Scafomatic by Eberhard & Co. Modern and functional lines, automatic mechanical movement, sapphire-crystal and generously sized wholly steel case characterize the watch. The dial, which allows for an easy and immediate reading of the time, makes a striking impact and is available in various colour combinations. They all feature a gloss finish on the flange and the regular alternation of large Arabic numerals and trapezoidal indexes in relief, all luminous, guaranteeing maximum visibility. In a central, commanding position on the case back, the ancient shield of the House provides a symbolic fragment of history.
Extreme Sports, Fashion, Sport, Watches,
Tags: Aquatimer, Blancpain, Charles Darwin Foundation, diver’s watches, Eberhard & Co, Edox, Galapagos, IWC, Locman, Oris, tag heuer, Victorinox
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